The End to a Wonderful Pre-Trip

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This post will encompass a couple of days as we didn't have internet at the lodge for 2 days. After this, I won't be able to post until the end of my trip when I'm at Victoria Falls.

Yesterday began like any other morning and believe it or not I finally got some sleep. That didn't last long, but I digress. We had our coffee and juice and headed out in the dark. Our guide, Johann, is truly wonderful. The 6 of us bonded so well with him and our tracker Eddy.

In the morning, we saw so many wonderful things. And then it came across the radio something about "Ingue". Well after watching twice a day safaris for the past 3 years, I knew that meant, leopard. We came to a sighting where it supposedly was but the only thing some of us saw was the tip of its white tail. Alas, the leopard eluded us for the rest of our stay.

As we moved on, we came across these huge Sycamore Fig trees and all around and in them were baboons and Vervet Monkeys. They were so funny and the monkey's were the cutest things ever.

Everyone had been able to spot something when it came to animals but me. I could identify and big gray rock as a hippo but that was about it. However, as we were making our way around, I saw this extremely long white thing slowing moving through the grass followed by the biggest male elephant.

He was trying to get the last of the Marula fruit, so he took his head, with a tusk on either side, and banged the tree to shake the fruit loose.

We then came across a mixed group of Impala, and warthogs. I do love the Pumbas.

We got back to the lodge and since there wasn't any internet, I went back to my room and relaxed by watching a movie I downloaded. I got up and went out onto the deck. We were all just sitting there when someone noticed something moving in the trees to the left. Well, next thing we know, Vervet Monkeys were everywhere. They were swinging through the trees and landing on the decks of the guests.

The evening drive proved to be pretty special. On our way back from the sundowner, we came across an African Civet. Johann said this was extremely rare. It's basically a large house cat. I couldn't get a picture as it was pitch black and Eddy saw as he was doing his spotlight sweep.

Dinner again was wonderful. Since it was out last night, we had a barbecue of Chicken, sausage and lamb chops.

For sides we had mixed vegetables, corn on the cob, and what was the equivalent to polenta.

Dessert was a wonderful caramel flan.

Animal Round Up for the day:
Fork Tail Drongo
Cape Buffalo
European Bee Eater
Baboons
Cape Glossing Starling
Elephants
Vervet Monkey's
Nyala
Rhino
Nightjar
Lions
Giraffe
Kudo
European Roller
And of course, Impala

I don't know why but last night was another sleepless night. So I decided to watch my downloaded version of "Out of Africa". Of course I had screaming baboons outside my window. Needless to say I was exhausted today.

We had our morning drive. Today was to be bird day and boy did we see a lot. We came back for our last breakfast and to settle our bills as we needed to get back to the airport and fly to Johannesburg. However, getting the airport early was not to be the case. Before we know it, Johann is pulling over to the side of the road. We had a flat tire and not just a flat tire a flat that practically destroyed the rim. We had another couple with us on the way to the airport so 4 men got it changed in 20 minutes. Poor Johann felt so bad.

We were back on the road and to the airport.

This will be my last blog for awhile as I won't have internet after tomorrow until the 28th.